Organisation of the Igala Numeral System

Posted by abdul  at December 2nd, 2014

The Igala numeral system is in a structurally complex state that presents quite some difficulty to the user and learner. Language professionals pointed out that the traditional counting system of Igala did not go beyond the figure one thousand (1000). The complexity and limit on the numeral system have frequently led to a code mixing situational context for a majority of Igala speakers where the use of the Igala counting system is avoided in preference for the use of others, particularly that of English. This is also a similar case for Yoruba as attested in Welmers (1973).

Ejeba (2011) and Omachonu (2010), as well as Etu (1999) and Ocheje (2001) have done some work on the Igala numeral system. Whereas Ejeba and Omachonu present straightforward linguistic descriptions of the state of the system, Etu and Ocheje present suggestions on modifications to it.

Ejeba (2011) presents the forms of Igala numerals from ‘nought’ through to the thousandth, with their various additive values as follows. Elder Agbonika Simeon presented natural structure of metric numeral process in his research work titled digital family theory of numbering. Abdul M. Yahaya followed suite in the pursuit of research work to bring Igala numbering system to state of acceptance for scientific and engineering works.

This artile was produced with surports from Dr Salem Ejeba
Linguistics and Communication Department
Uni-Port